The power of the MDD Forum...

[Ryu]

Just wanted to say a big thank you to...well pretty much all of you.

Having only recently (start of the year) joined my old man with his Disco, I've been on a pretty steep learning curve, Not so much with actually DJing, as I've been DJing for at least a decade now (and longer if you consider I've been attending disco's since I was in nappies...the old man is 35 years in the business) but most certainly with understanding the industry, and learning about different approaches.

Our current set up is very much in the traditional, old school vein. We were using Rope Lights, Beacons and home made flashing boxes, and initially, I was quite defensive about it to anyone who looked down their noses at that kind of set up. Our sound system is good (1000w Amp, 4 Ohm speakers) and, having added a digital interface - Laptop, Numark controllers and soundcard) and my view was, much to Mr Solitaires annoyance, Sound most important, Lights less so.

The more I've been on the board, and the more I've looked into marketing, varying lighting, backlighting, DMX etc, the more I've realised how wrong I've been. I still think that in some cases, there are folks in the industry who focus too heavily on that aspect of the show, but I now realise its about keying it right. Being genuinely adaptable with both your sound AND your light show is critical for maximising business....our current approach was, dare I say it, a bit in your face, and lacking in any sophistication. Seeing Mr Solitaires Par Can Uplighting ideas, the way Tony Scott lights his show etc has been a real inspiration (yeah, I know that sounds brown nosey, but its the truth!)

Having started to realise where we are going wrong, I then had the even trickier task of changing my Dad's views about this. Again, this forum (particularly the Gallery) helped a lot with that.

I've just got back from a lengthy business chat with dad, and I've taken him through my business plan for 2009 (Yes, thats right, a full on business plan...I've had experience of this when I ran my own record store a few years back). We now have in place a propper marketing strategy for the next year, including a brochure and marketing material for Wedding Fayres, Full PLI and PAT certificates in the post (Yes, there will be copies sent this way shortly), back up equipment, Full business paperwork including a prudent cashflow forecast for next year, a website redesign on the way, an Accountant, Two Agents and, most excitingly from my p.o.v, investment into our set up.

Our New set up, with a view to increasing efficiency and load -in/storage will be

Two Amps (one 1000, one 800)
Laptop, Controller, Mixer, Ext Soundcard
4 OHM speakers
1 1.8m DJ Stand (make to be decided)
1 Black Cloth, Poss Star, Poss custom made
1 Custom made Harlequin Lightbox
2 Tbars
8 Acme Visio Color Mood Color Par 64 Black + Controller
2 ImpossibLEDs OR American DJ Revo 3s OR Prolight Carbons (opinions welcome)

Plus, as back up/variance, we'll have two moonflowers, 1 projector, and about 6 lightboxes :D

Also...we'll be changing from Harlequin Roadshow...not sure what to follow Harlequin with....Entertainments? Promotions? Mobile Disco? Discotheque?

Anyway, sorry for the long post, good on you if you've read this far.


The main point of the post is, particularly to people learning about this business, USE this forum, If you get past the annoying newbies debating the spell checker (apologies Mr Solitaire) there is a goldmine of info in here.

Cheers
Ryan
:) :) :) :) :) :)
:beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[PropellerHeadCase]

Awesome post, Ryan! Well done for getting over that defensiveness thing (been there, done that).

Here's to much success in your future!


Oh, PS: Harlequin Mobile Disco (in my opinion).

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Forget all the arguments and petty disagreements - this is what the forum is about and why we run it.

Keep pushing that bar higher.

[Penfold42]

Hey.....good post. :)

Nice for the forum buddies to get feedback........
Raise that level.....

:)

Keep pushing that bar higher.

Edit - Echo.......:)

[Tony Scott]

Great post Ryan, You sound like you've got it sorted there mate! :approve:

I have to say that this forum has really helped me to raise my game. When I joined I had been in the industry for 26 years, I thought I knew it all but boy was I wrong! :)

[Shaun]

Excellent post!

Continued success to you and your Dad, Ryan. Try persuade him join up to the forum, we'd love to have him here. :) :beer1:



I have to say that this forum has really helped me to raise my game. When I joined I had been in the industry for 26 years, I thought I knew it all but boy was I wrong! :)

Same for me. When you think of all the accumulative years of experience we have here on the board, the amount of knowledge and experience here is absolutely immense!

So, thank you guys, for allowing me to tap into that knowledge. I can't think of any place I'd rather be. :)

[Charlie Brown]

Yes well said, and is something I myself should have said a long time ago....

So I will take my opportunity now to say thanks guys :D

You mean a lot to us guys starting out...may sound a little cheesy, but thinking about it I wouldn’t be any where I am now without your more appreciated help..

Thanks:) a lot:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

When I joined I had been in the industry for 26 years, I thought I knew it all but boy was I wrong! :)

Ain't that the truth brother! :D

[rob1963]

When I joined I had been in the industry for 26 years, I thought I knew it all but boy was I wrong! :)

When I joined I had been in the industry for about 24 years, I thought I DIDN'T know it all (which is why I joined)...and boy was I RIGHT!

:D

[Penfold42]

Brownie points..................:D


I think if you can learn and be able to turn your eye to what you want.....your 1/2 way there...IMO.

Change......that's what you need.
:)

[nigelwright7557]

Just wanted to say a big thank you to...well pretty much all of you.


Cheers
Ryan
:) :) :) :) :) :)
:beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

Its good to keep an open mind regarding equipment.

I came from the old school of a few flashing spots and light boxes.

It wasnt until I heard on here of the new LED lighting systems that I realised there were any ! So I bought an impossibled and love it. I also got a triple 900W Derby light and a mushroom light to hang on my new tripod. Its nice to hear the kids go "Wow" when I put the lights on at the start of a night.

I still have a few ropelights that I use.

Good to hear you carry back up equipment, I do too. If you leave it in the van during a gig be careful to cover it up. I have heard a few horror stories of gear being nicked out of vans.

[Mayhem 1]

Nice post there from a fellow Oxfordshire DJ.(RYU)

I would like to add my thanks to MDD.

My thoughts are this:

Whichever facet of this industry you do ie:- Weddings / Children’s Parties etc etc it is a learning curve.

There is always something to glean from your last event, maybe that lighting effect could have been set up at a different angle? Maybe you could have said something but in a slightly different context etc etc

When somebody stands and says “I know everything there is to know about our business” then it is time to stand down.

I have been in the business for many years now chaps and believe me, I am still learning and picking up ideas.

Don’t get complacent, try your best to keep it fresh, and keep your eyes on this forum it is a “Gold Mine”

[Ryu]

Excellent post!

Continued success to you and your Dad, Ryan. Try persuade him join up to the forum, we'd love to have him here. :) :beer1:



Same for me. When you think of all the accumulative years of experience we have here on the board, the amount of knowledge and experience here is absolutely immense!

So, thank you guys, for allowing me to tap into that knowledge. I can't think of any place I'd rather be. :)

Its funny you should say that, but showing the old man a few posts and threads on here actually help illustrate a few points. He's not a big fan of the web and computers in general (we use a Total Control to control the Laptop simply because its reeeeally user friendly, and similar to the mixer he used when working from Disc's), Its re-ignited a bit of his enthusiasm. Obviously, with his experience, He's been a number one source of education for me, but equally he's always partnered himself with less enthusiastic types who leave the business side up to him. Since I've got involved, its been a bit of a culture shock, working with someone who's more enthusiastic and driven than he is. It took a while to shake off his cynicism, but, as you can see we are getting there.

As for our new light show...I'm pleased we'll have a lot more versatility, in a more streamlined, tidier package...the amount of LED Pars we'll have will allow us to light venues in a range of different ways, and we'll have the ImpossibLED type lights to add a bit of excitement.
As soon as the new gear is in, I'll be taking a range of shots to use promotionally, so of course, I'll post some up for your opinions.

:)

[Ryu]

Quick....need some speedy advice....(again)

We've just got confirmed that our DJ Shop bloke can get hold of all the lights we require,

What I need to know is....am I better off getting 2 of the same light, or 2 different....the ones we're looking at are the Revo 3, Prolight Carbon and ImpossibLED....

I figure 2 of the same, but would 2 different offer MUCH variation or are the lights mentioned, as per the demo's Ive seen, too similar?

Thanks
R

[Shaun]

Personally, I would prefer 2 of the same, to give a balance look to your show.

[Excalibur]

It's only my opinion, and I've not seen enough kit to be clued up, but even though LED lighting is the in thing, have you considered having say a couple of non LED barels or scanners for variation and movement? It may not be the current fashion, but food for thought.

Re this place, yes I have got to say I was a "set in my ways- if it ain't broke don't fix it", Luddite. Been in this game thirty five years man and boy, what did I have to learn on here? :confused:

Answer, quite a lot!;) :D :D With the realisation that I was so far behind some folk on here, and unacceptably so, the Disco I'm running now is unrecognisable from the one I came on here with. On the Downside, I don't think I'll ever be able to recoup my expenditure, unless I increase my prices to a figure nearer that which Crazy K commands! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[nigelwright7557]

Personally, I would prefer 2 of the same, to give a balance look to your show.

I rarely use more than one effect at a time as multiple lights just give a mush of light.

I prefer to see the one effect doings its patterns on walls or on the floor.
I keep switching between lights to give different effects as time goes on.

I tend to start with something subtle such as just a huge UV cannon light until people get up and dance. Very bright lights can inhibit peope from being first to get up to dance.

[daz226]

Since i only started April 2007 with no prior experience at all its was forums like this that i gained information from. I have learned so much from these forums that i know i run my Mobile disco karaoke in as professional way as i can. I am registered with mr tax man have PLI and PAT testing all this done through advice from you guys.

Also through reading these forums i now have a fully automated booking system on my website www.djdazlive.com which has become an invaluable tool. I would really love to progress in the future and go full time but for now i am happy doing 2 events a week i think in a few years time and with more experience i could look to do this.

My equipmet has all changed now also and i beleive that the shows i now put on look the part but i have to say i did a diso last night 18th birthday party all dance and RnB i was lost with the RnB as i was playing tracks i had not heard but it turned out very well but i guess that comes down to experience knowing excatly the right tunes at the right time.

so as said in other post's a massive thanks to these forums its a wealth of information and one which i will allways be thank full for


Daz